Kalispell considers scrapping Stillwater Road roundabout plan
A sign alerts drivers to the roundabout on the U.S. 93 alternate route between South Meridian Road and Foys Lake Road in this March 28, 2011, file photo.
Several roundabouts have been proposed for Kalispell roadways over the past few years, but on Tuesday, the Kalispell City Council will consider a proposal to do away with plans for a traffic circle northwest of the city.
The council meets Tuesday because of the July 4 holiday to renegotiate plans for an as yet undeveloped intersection west of Stillwater Road.
In 2008, the city entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation regarding the intersection of Stillwater Road and a new potential roadway called Farmstead Parkway, located west of Stillwater Road, north of Four Mile Drive and south of West Reserve Drive.
The DNRC agreed to commit $500,000 to the proposed roundabout, but Farmstead Parkway still has yet to be developed.
Since there has been no need for traffic improvements of any kind on the property, it has come time for the council to revisit the original roundabout plans. On Tuesday, the council consider rescinding the Memorandum of Understanding, since the DNRC has unnecessarily included the $500,000 pledged amount in its budget for the past 13 years.
If the council decides to scrap the agreement, future developments on the land would be created based on more up-to-date traffic studies and funding demands.
IN OTHER business, the council will consider adopting the proposed downtown Kalispell Historic District design standards.
The standards set guidelines for features such as materials, colors and signage on buildings in downtown Kalispell. They’ve been under development since 2020, when the downtown Business Improvement District received a grant for the project from the Montana Main Street Program.
Contractor A & E Design worked with the city to develop the standards. With the council’s approval, the guidelines could be incorporated as a text amendment to the Kalispell zoning laws.
Tuesday’s meeting also offers an opportunity for the public to comment during a public hearing on the city’s proposed $103.96 million budget for the fiscal year that started July 1.
The council can’t officially adopt a budget until it receives property valuations from the state in August, although it did authorize preliminary expenditures to keep operations running until the yearly budget goes into place.
The council plans to consider the final budget and establish respective levies on Aug. 16.
The meeting starts at 7 p.m. on July 6 in the City Council Chambers, 201 First Ave. E.
Reporter Bret Anne Serbin may be reached at 406-758-4459 or bserbin@dailyinterlake.com.